Vaughan Edward McVey was inducted into the McGill Sports Hall of Fame as a builder in 2002.
McVey was born in Montreal on May 30, 1933, and was a two-time football all-star at centre and at linebacker at McGill (1955 and 1956), serving as team captain in 1956.
After graduating with a Bachelor of Science in 1957, he had a tryout with the Alouettes but returned to McGill as an assistant coach and defensive coordinator from 1959 to 1961 and also in 1964. He was part of the coaching staff on McGill’s 1960 miracle Yates Cup and Churchill Bowl championship team.
"McVey’s line ranked as the best in Canadian college circles," wrote Charlie Halpin in The Montreal Star.
A founding member of the Friends of McGill Football in 1984, he served 14 years as chairman, playing a dominant role in helping to keep the football program alive.
Under McVey’s direction, fundraising increased dramatically to support the football program. He was heavily involved in player recruitment as well as alumni and public relations, creating a bond between the students and alumni, and fostering team spirit, not only among the players but for McGill in general.
Vaughan McVey, selected in the builder category, was a two-time all-star centre and linebacker with the football team who later went on to coach the Redmen and founded an alumni support group for the team.
McVey, who played in 1955 and 1956, turned down a tryout offer from the Alouettes after graduating.
He went on to serve four years as an assistant coach and defensive coordinator with the Redmen, including McGill's 1960 miracle Yates Cup and Churchill Bowl championship team.
He initiated the Friends of McGill Football in 1984 and served 14 years as its chairman.
UNIVERSITY SPORTS INVOLVEMENT & AWARDS:
AS AN ATHLETE:
* was a TWO-time all-star at centre and at linebacker (1955 and 1956)
* served as team captain in 1956
* turned down pro tryout from Edmonton Eskimos in order to attend McGill
* after graduating from McGill he had a tryout with the Alouettes but returned to McGill as a coach
AS A BUILDER:
* was an assistant coach and defensive coordinator from 1959 to 1961 and also in 1964
* was part of McGill's miracle Yates Cup and Churchill Bowl championship team in 1960 (in the two Cup games vs. Queen's and Alberta, McGill's defence -- under his direction -- only allowed a total of six points)
* a founding member of the Friends of McGill Football in 1984, he served 14 years as chairman, playing a dominant role in helping to keep the football program alive, not only through fundraising, but also by creating a bond between the students and alumni, and by fostering team spirit, not only among the players but for McGill in general
* under his direction, over $1 million was raised to support the football program
* instituted the weekly Quarterback Club luncheons that serve to promote and create awareness of the team among students, staff and alumni
* instituted the annual football awards banquet, a large fundraising venture that draws a capacity crowd of close to 300 supporters and provides an opportunity for blue-chip recruits to come visit the city
* instituted the creation of the Friends of McGill Football Newsletter
* instituted the annual Friends of McGill Football golf tournament
* increased promotion and marketing of the team
* heavily involved in player recruitment as well as alumni and public relations
* organized pre-and post-season team socials
RELEVANT EXCERPTS FROM PRESS CLIPPINGS & COMMUNITY LEADERS:
* QUOTE from Charlie Halpin in the May 20, 1964 edition of The Montreal Star: "McVey's line ranked as the best in Canadian college circles."
* QUOTE from Ian MacDonald in the Nov. 1, 1955 edition of The Montreal Star (under the headline: McGILL'S McVEY GAINS FAME WITH CRASHING DEFENSIVE PLAY): "McGill... is given a better than even chance of toppling Queen's... and one of the big reasons is 6-foot-3 Vaughan McVey, a 200-pound bundle of driving football player who is coming into his own as the finest and fiercest linebacker in the Intercollegiate League." This was written after McVey's second game with the Redmen -- a 35-17 victory vs. Western where he blocked two kicks, had one interception and made numerous "crushing" tackles
* QUOTE from former McGill and Bishop's head coach Bruce Coulter: "Although Vaughan was technically an assistant coach, in fact, he and I jointly ran the team-- he on defence and me on offence. Week in, week out, because of his expertise, the Redmen were better prepared than any others to play defence. Beyond this, the players had the utmost respect for him. There are few people that I would recommend to be (so) honoured."
* QUOTE from Dr. Rae Brown, a community leader in the field of medicine who was also a former McGill player: "He was an outstanding coach and motivator... Vaughan's greatest contribution was, and still is his work with the Friends of McGill Football. The oldest football team in Canada would have died and been placed in a convenient place in McGill archives had it not been for his untiring efforts in raising much-needed funds, helping the coaching staff with whatever they needed. He had a magical relationship with the players of each McGill team during this time... In summary, Vaughan truly is the spirit of Old McGill, a player who never forgot who he was... a great Redman"
